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The Mindset of the Spirit and the Mindset of the Flesh

Since becoming a teacher, I’ve been utterly intrigued by Carol Dweck’s concept of mindset. What’s interested me most is where the idea appears in Scripture. The most obvious part of the Bible is in Romans 8:

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, indeed it cannot; 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.[1]

The more literal translation of “to set the mind on the Spirit” is “the mindset of the Spirit,” or perhaps “the mentality/outlook of the Spirit.” The concept is something like, “the way of managing one’s mind which starts with “setting the mind on the things from the Spirit” from verse six. In other words, it’s the total of beliefs, attitudes, and thought processes that a Christian uses to be transformed by the renewal of the mind (Romans 12:1-2).

But what is this mindset? What are the beliefs, attitudes, and thought processes that Paul means? And beyond that, what are the beliefs, attitudes, and thought processes provided by the Holy Spirit outside of Paul’s immediate reference? I propose a three-step way forward:

Look at what Paul says in Romans pertaining to thoughts, the Spirit, and the flesh/sin.

Look at what Paul says in the rest of his letters.

Look at what the rest of the Bible says that fits the conceptual framework of a mindset that comes from God’s Spirit.

Forth Bonus Step: Look at what nature can tell us about a good mindset from philosophical reflection and scientific experimentation. This would still be, insofar as it was not sinful, a mindset of the Spirit, who was over the face of the deep when nature was created.

Below are some of the contrasts yielded by this approach. Some elements of contrast indicate the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. But others indicate where you might be in the process of having your mind renewed:

Mindset/mentality of the Spirit

Mindset/mentality of the Flesh

1. Regarding God as ultimate reality.

2. Treating Jesus as the supreme revelation of knowledge about God.

3. Hearing and doing the commands of Jesus.

4. Regarding the Bible as a repository of genuine knowledge about God and wisdom for life.

5. The Abel ethic.

6. Growth mindset.

7. God saves you from sin.

8. You cooperate by faith, hope, and love.

9. Reverence for divine law.

10. Creative dominion in the face of chaotic circumstances.

11. The wise man in Proverbs

1. Regarding creation as ultimate reality

2. Treating anything as supreme to Jesus w/respect to revelation.

3. Hearing and ignoring the commands of Jesus.

4. Ignoring the Bible in your quest for genuine knowledge about God and wisdom for life.

5. The Cain ethic.

6. Static mindset.

7. Something else/nothing saves you.

8. You either exercise virtue on your own or not at all.

9. Hostility to divine law.

10. Resentment, hatred, and retreat in the face of chaotic circumstances.